Lower School - Reception , Year One and Year Two

At Wandsworth Prep, we understand the importance of an effective start to a child’s education and recognise the importance of Reception and Year One as laying the strong foundations for your child’s successful school journey. We offer a fun, stimulating and caring environment allowing the children space to grow independently and develop the confidence needed to take on new challenges.

We aim to foster a love of learning within a broad and balanced curriculum through exciting learning experiences aimed to ignite an enthusiasm for learning that will stay with each child for life. Children are taught to develop a positive Growth Mindset through our school values and to understand that learning requires effort and are recognised for demonstrating their positivity, resilience and independence.

Reception

During their time in Reception, our dedicated teachers encourage and promote ‘active’ learning through purposeful play throughout all the areas of the Foundation Stage Curriculum and develop learning based on children’s needs and interests allowing for each child’s achievements to be celebrated. Reception children attend Forest School every Friday morning where they integrate the Early Learning goals into their outdoor curriculum.

The Early Learning goals set out what most children are expected to achieve by the end of the Foundation Stage. They are organised as seven areas of learning:

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Physical Development
• Communication and Language
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Arts and Design

View our EYFS Curriculum Guide here.

Year One

In order to ensure a smooth and successful transition from Reception to Year One, children will have a range of opportunities to continue to learn through purposeful play throughout the first half term before diving deeper into the Year One curriculum.

During Year One, there is a greater focus on developing children’s self-awareness and independence in order to ensure that they are able to take increased responsibility for their belongings, behaviour and learning. Children are also encouraged to begin thinking about their learning targets and how they can challenge themselves in their learning to drive their learning forward.

Specialist teachers are introduced from Reception where all children in Lower School enjoy specialist physical education, music, drama, Forest School, French and Spanish lessons.

Year Two

Year Two marks the end of the Key Stage 1 journey. Learning becomes more structured and topics and ideas become more complex, but our pupils are ready for the challenge as the enthusiasm for learning they have developed in Reception and Year One serves them well. The pastoral care of pupils is supported by their Class Teacher, who teaches all of the core subjects.

Our teachers ensure that lessons are engaging and inspiring, fostering a love for learning curiosity. Children continue to have specialist teachers and there is plenty of sport, arts and outdoor activities to develop a wide range of skills and to ensure the children are enjoying these key developmental years.